Sewage crisis hits world’s largest warship affecting 5k sailors en route to Iran

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest warship, is reportedly dealing with blocked toilets and a malfunctioning sewage system while heading to Iran.

The issue goes beyond a simple blockage.

“What they think is, this is not just the toilets getting blocked, whoopsie daisies, somebody put a brush down, but that the whole piping and sewage system is essentially not fit for purpose,” explained international correspondent Adam Gilchrist.

The claim is that the pipes are too narrow to cope with the volume generated by about 5,000 sailors on board.

5,000 sailors queuing ‘incessantly’

With thousands of crew members on the aircraft carrier, the malfunction has reportedly created long queues for bathrooms.

“Even right now, they are probably queuing and fighting for the toilet,” said Gilchrist.

The situation was described as having ‘gone very yuck’ on board, with sailors ‘queuing incessantly’.

The comparison was drawn to large public events where sanitation systems struggle under pressure.

“You think of 5,000 people anywhere, and I'm instantly thinking of cricket festivals where the toilets get blocked by day three, and you don't want to go anywhere near.”

‘Quite a stink back at the Pentagon’

The USS Gerald R Ford is described as a $13 billion, state-of-the-art ship. However, the sanitation issues have raised serious questions.

“It’s certainly causing quite a stink back at the Pentagon.”

The warship is said to be heading toward Iran as the sewage problems unfold, adding a layer of irony to the situation.

For more details, listen to Gilchrist using the audio player below: